It’s that time of the year for tears of joy, perfecting your dance moves to “Shout,” throwing bows for the bouquet, and of course celebrating with friends and family…yes, it is wedding season! This past weekend I had the pleasure of attending of one my friend’s outdoor weddings on an absolutely perfect 75 degree and sunny day. Prior to this magical day the feeling sets in as I am sipping on my morning coffee…” Oh snap, what am I going to wear?” We all have that one dress that is the perfect go to for all occassions, but as I scroll through my Facebook feed my go to dress has been worn more than those cat ears that I wear every halloween…yeah thats pretty bad.
As I racked my brain about where can I go to find a dress that I will not hit the mall traffic, I won’t stand in line till my legs are numb, and I wont be scavaging the racks of clothes only to find extra and extra extra small selections. This is when the lightbulb went off and I pulled my car into New York and Co., which was also a stand alone shop…score! After a couple of dresses I finally found this amazing gem below! The tag stated the dress was made of scuba material, do not be alarmed. When thinking of scuba I am sure flippers, goggles, and fishies come to mind but in this scenario it is not the case. The great thing about scuba material is that in a form fitting style dress it does not hug in all the wrong places. It is surprisingly a very breathable material and this is coming from a girl that can sweat just thinking about sweat.
Dress, NY & Co., $70; Clutch, Charming Charlies, $20; Earrings, Charming Charlies, $10; Bracelet, Target, $10; Shoes, Target, under $35
Finding a look with a bold multi color print gives this dress a bit of versatility to mix and match with different accessories. The accessories I chose were colors that played off of the main prints in this look with the clutch and earrings. Since there are alot of colors happening keeping a pair of basic wedges in the mix balances the look just right. See below for accessory details!
Like Jay Z & Beyonce, Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt, George & Amal Clooney, I would like to introduce to you the latest collab…navy blue and black. I guess the combo name like Brangelina would be…Blavy? Ok, so it doesn’t sound as attractive but you get the point. In terms of fashion no-nos I feel that combining black and navy blue was a combo many strayed away. Just how mixed patterns such as floral tops and striped bottoms this combo is also making a strong comeback! With this simple color combo makes many rushed mornings getting ready for work a bit easier! In my photos I chose a navy blue blazer from Target for under $40 paired with a babydolly style black skinny strap dress also from Target on sale for under $20.
Blazer, Target, under $40; Dress, Target, under $20 on sale; Shoes, Target, under $35; Earrings, JCrew, $20 on consignment; Watch, Fossil, under $100; Laptop bag, Nanette Lapore, under $40
I chose this look for more of an office style, but can be transitioned to night by just slipping off the blazer! When pairing navy blue and black together, always important to add accessories that are bold in the right places. To start, I chose a pair of earrings with a bright color that would really pop, but not overpower the look. These drop earrings from JCrew I found on consignment for $20!
Earrings, JCrew, $20 on consignment
Since this look is more on the office side I also paired a colorful laptop case that is perfect for on the go by Nanette Lepore, for under $50, at Best Buy. Even pairing a smaller clutch with a bold color as well is a great addition to the darker features of the navy blue and black combo. If you do not have a bold clutch I also recommend pairing this look with a pair of statement shoes with colorful floral patterns, shapes, etc.! Of course, no look is complete without a classic watch. Check out details below on this amazing piece from Fossil for under $100!
Laptop case, Nanette Lapor, under $50Watch, Fossil, under $100
Are you a fan of the navy blue and black collab? Leave your comments below!
I entitled this post “The Shoe Challenge” not only for the dramatic effects “cue dim music and echoey announcer over a microphone” but also since this involves my best girl friends in the amazing cities of Chicago, Cincinnati, and Louisville as my guest photo bloggers! This challenge I presented to them was to show me what their shoe choices are on their long commutes to the office. Let’s be honest…hiking in heels 10 blocks, 2 train rides, and a flight of stairs is just cray cray talk. Let’s meet the ladies and see their choices!
Meet Caitlin…living the good life in Cincinnati at a marketing firm just making it rain…free samples from her clients? Still an awesome gig and she definitely has found all the hot spots for young professionals who are flocking to this up and coming city. Although her walking commute to work is fairly short, she rocks the Chucks on a daily basis. This is a perfect example of where fashion meets comfort this spring. As for when she arrives to the office that is when the heels come out and let the business begin!
Left: Chuck Taylors under $60 Right: BCBG, under $70
Meet Amber…now if I had to shop anyones closet it would for sure be this girls. Everytime I visit Chicago I “oooo and ahhhh” and “oh lawd, yes please can I have all of your amazing accessories, clothes, and shoes!” If you need a personal shopper this girl is it and she is the queen of finding all the good deals on those high ends brands for less (insert praise hands emoji). Not only that, she is a youg professional that is constantly on the move with clients and speed walking to make it to that 9 am meeting is an understatement. Her choice in footwear on her commute to the office is a pair of color blocked flats by Kendall & Kylie for under $100!
Kendall & Kylie under $100
Meet Katie…if you need an event planned this lady is your girl! In the events industry, it is vital to have footwear that will take you from one cocktail hour to the next and being short on time is an understatement. She has to be ready to be pulled into any direction as soon as she walks into an event. Although throwing on a pair of heels would be nice, her flats of choice in these scenarios that have a bit of a dressy twist with the ankle strap are her go to’s from BCBGeneration for under $40. This is a look that is absolutely the best of both worlds!
BCBGeneration under $40
Meet Lana…born and raised a city girl she has perfected the footwear choice that is fashionable and realistic when using those feet as your way of transportation on a daily basis. From cooking up her next creation in the kitchen to hitting up happy hours with her co workers her choice of footwear is perfect for a day to night look! Oh yes and that skyline view is not to bad at her downtown Chicago office. Those beauties are from Aldo for under $40!
Aldo under $40
Meet Sarah…keepin it real in Louisville. Wait, did I just create a new saying? This lady can turn from playing bags in the backyard to hitting up the downtown night scene in 2 seconds flat…definitey impressive. This means having a transitional wardobe as well, which she has perfected! Her shoe of choice is great for running errands during the day or for a casual Friday look that is perfect for her walking commute to the office! This adorable pair is by Van’s for under $60!
Van’s, under $60
Meet Kristin… this girl is definitely on the move, Italy one day, Cali the next… the sun never sets on this traveler! Her choice of shoe on her commute in downtown chi town is a bit of a mix. She was able to score a perfect height on a shoe with a stable heel that can be worn from the office to out on the town after 5 without having to pack that second pair of shoes. Also, when packing for your next vacay and you are short on luggage space this look is perfect!
Bp, $99
Meet Caitlin…no worries, not a repeat. Caitlin is the absolute definition of work hard, play hard. She always puts in 100% into everything whether its work, training for a marathon, or even her sweet lip syncing skills. Like Kristin, she also prefers to rock the ankle bootie style that is a great transitional look with support for those ankles as well!
Tom’s under $100
So blessed to have these amazing and fashion forward women in my life that also have perfect taste in commute footwear! Which look was your fav? Leave a comment below!
Upon moving to DC I have discovered long gone are the days where my whole paycheck didn’t completey go to my living expenses. Oh the days where “Yes, Ill buy that dress for whatever occasion and never wear it again,” was a thought that I didn’t second guess. In reality this was a blessing in disguise on getting real with getting creative with what I already have in my closet. In transition to the warmer temps what better way to highlight a wear it two ways look than with the beloved maxi dress!
The maxi dress I am hightlighting today is from last season Target for under $35! Yes, of course you can keep it basic and wear just this dress with flats, but let’s explore the adventures in occasions this dress can take us to. Below I would recommend the strapless maxi with uncovered shoulders for a look if you are on vacation, headed to the beach, etc.
Maxi dress, Target, under $35; Gold peep toe flats, Steve Madden, on consignment under $20
The next maxi look is perfect for casual brunch setting during the day, picnic outing, or if you are simply just running errands. Pairing a maxi with sheer or light cover ups such as this tie waisted button up or you can do a cardigan for a transitional look for the office on casual Fridays.
Maxi dress, Target, under $35; White button up, NY & Co. under $30; Shoes, TJ Maxx, under $40
Last look for this maxi dress is for the after 10 pm crowd. Selecting a maxi that has a flowy poly blend pairs perfect with blazers or a bit of leather! Throw on a pair of heels and you are set for the night!
Maxi dress, Target, under $35; Pleather blazer, NY&Co., under $25 on consignment; Shoes, Target, under $35
When you have your next full day excursion and there is no time to run home to transition to different looks consider the maxi dress. Proof that this works, I was able to fit all three pairs of shoes, jacket, and blouse in a basic H&M bag…you can do it too! What are your maxi favs this season?
